On a summer evening in Gary, Indiana, the life of 15-year-old Daja Brookshire, a promising female track star at West Side High School, was tragically cut short. On August 2, 2015, Daja was the victim of a drive-by shooting. She was in a car with her boyfriend and a female friend, leaving a friend's grandmother's house, when they noticed a vehicle following them.
As they were getting out of their car in the 700 block of Adams Street, shots were fired from the pursuing vehicle.
Daja was struck in the back by the gunfire. Her companions were unharmed and rushed her to Methodist Northlake Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Daja Brookshire was pronounced dead at 11:37 p.m. Police who investigated the incident described Daja and her friends as 'good kids' and stated there was no apparent reason for them to be targeted. Investigators believed it was possible their vehicle was mistaken for a rival gang's car, making Daja an innocent victim in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In the days following the shooting, the Gary police reported having very few leads and no suspects. They appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of those responsible for Daja's death. Despite the initial investigation and public pleas for help, there have been no subsequent announcements of any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the years since the shooting. The case of who killed Daja Brookshire has gone cold, leaving her family and community without answers or justice for the loss of a young life full of potential.
